Yesterdays article that Michael Whybrew of Paintball Assassin tried unsuccessfully to register the trademark Macdev in Australia seemed to stirred up a hornets nest. The story was syndicated across the net and copied over on several bulletin boards as readers discussed the significance of the documents.
We’ve received the following statement from Macdev;
Over recent months, it has come to our attention that some of our major trademarks have not been adequately protected here in Australia. An unscrupulous individual has attempted to take ownership of major MacDevmarks and intellectual property including the major MacDev brand, and the non profit players league AXL. As a result of these attacks upon our company, Australian trademark authorities have forced the offending individual to remove all trademark applications or holdings relating to MacDev under grounds of intent to deceive customers and non commercial usage. MacDev lawyers were able to secure legal decisions in our favor in every instance, and as a result of these attacks, the MacDev trademark portfolio is now significantly stronger than ever.”
Update: Reader John R. found has been following a heated conversation between Michael Whybrew (PB Assassin) & James Grundy (MacDev) on BillsPaintball.com, an Australian paintball bulletin board.
We have extended the opportunity to Michael Whybrew to issue a statement and expect to update the story shortly. Stay posted folks, this is getting interesting.
at 5:32 pm
This has been going on for years. There is no love lost between the two companies at all.
Most – who don’t get dragged into picking sides – sit on the sidelines and laugh.
at 6:39 pm
Seems pretty one sided to me…not questioning, but it seems like MacDev is the clear victim in this one?
at 9:53 pm
For years Macdev over here were crap. Their original air systems were lousy as hell and I remember them making a copy of the Automag back in their early days. It didnt get anywhere because it didnt work. I know this as I was playing back in the day and I remember James showing us a prototype at a tournament.
at 10:58 pm
thats pretty funny alan, while whybrew and his supporters poo pooed the macdev gear as being rubbish they were hard at work making a name for them selves where the real players were oversea’s. they sponsored some of the best teams in the day like bob longs ironmen.
yeah the origional guns were not the best ever but they worked and even the origional automag clone they built was way ahead of its time with LP operation before anyone else was really doing it.
yes this rubbish has gone on for years and 99% has been instigated by michael whybrew, i have seen both sides and i can honestly say they continue to walk away while he stirs up the pot by doing stuff like this.
if i had a say in it i would push MD to sue his ass for all its worth.
he is a sad man jealous of a company he wants to be like.
at 12:11 am
Dj so true
Mikes jealosie is ammence
for the past few years he has tryed in vain to produce a world class product and Has yet to succed
Hell is gos so far now To put the words THE WORLDS BEST PAINTBALLS on his boxs and anyone that shots it is quick to find out its no Draxxus Gold or ultra evil
Its sad to see the man so consumed with hate that he Makes bad desisions that Now have him looking like a tool in the worlds EYES
at 4:47 pm
umm i do Believe Worlds Best and Killer are 2 seperate brands if you even decided to look this up…but no once again Edda jumps to conclusions..Worlds best is made in Korea and Killer is made in China……OMG they are 2 different companies aswell!!! you are all over bagging Mr Whybrew but now you are just making up lies to feed your need to look cool on the internet. Sad really
at 12:30 am
OMG edda.
Is all this harassment gonna get you the brownie points you seem to be after from Macdev? You’re hitting all the forums, touting all the same crap! In very poor English mind you, Got nothing better to do huh?
at 3:17 pm
He Sean
who are you may i ask
By the way i dont require Any Brownie points off Macdev.
I have been nothing but looked after since playing for macdev
My problem was how Myself and my team where flamed and disrespected By Mr Whybrew.
My involvement in this could have have easly been avoided, But Mike Not having the guts to talk to me in person about kinda killed that idear
he is a gutless Worm and made the bed he now has to sleep in
Hope you sleep well in it Mike
Oh and yes My spelling sucks but we have always know that
at 5:43 pm
Why does this Mike have to justify himself to you?
You are nothing but a sponsored player, you have no input or pull with this situation at all. Plus I have not seen any flaming of you and your team on the forums?
But nice to see you think you are so important buddy!
Good luck with that!
at 4:37 pm
from the team at macdev.
“thanks to everyone for the support through this, the phone calls and emails have been awesome! its a shame that people will resort to dirt underganded tactics to try and damage or take over a company. this is one of the case’s where justice has prevailed and we are thankful for it.”
Dianne, James and bourke.
it has been hard to keep this quiet as it was the only way our lawyers said we would get through it, michael whybrew was busy bragging that he owned us while we were doing everything to stop this going ahead. thanks again to our customers who supported us and non customers who saw the action for what is was and posted.
james
at 7:00 am
seriously, if you dont have money invested in either company paintballers should just shut the hell up and go play paintball and have fun, the problem with paintball in australia is not action paintball/ paintball assassin VS macdev its all the wankers n fanboys on both sides of the fence thinking that cos they are semi decent on the field then they can be a politican and spout bollocks,
seriously just shut up and play paintball, or bugger off and take your non sense with you